Spray guard



, June 5, 1956 v. R. O'BRIEN 4 SPRAY GUARD' Filed Aug. 7, 1952 SPRAYGUARD Vincent Richard OBrien, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to FasteeProducts, Inc., St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota ApplicationAugust 7, 1952, Serial No. 303,094

8 Claims. (Cl. 15-129) This invention relates to spray guards for use inconjunction with spray valve and nozzle assemblies of the type that areused on kitchen sinks. More particularly, it relates to a self-engagingspray guard adapted to be readily attached or detached from a sprayvalve and nozzle assembly as a result of its inherent shape for thepurpose of adapting the assembly for more effective cleaning operationsas well as for rinsing without attendant splashing.

This invention is an improvement on my inventions disclosed and claimedin application for patent, S. N. 210,474, filed February 12, 1951, by meand entitled Multi-Purpose Spray Guard, and in application for patent,S. N. 266,700, filed January 16, 1952, by me and entitled Sink Spray.Although the spray guards disclosed and claimed in these two priorapplications operate in a very satisfactory manner, I have found that bymodifying the spray guard as to its shape and certain structuralfeatures, I can provide a spray guard which is substantially more easilyattached and detached relative to the spray valve and nozzle assemblyand will have a longer useful life.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a novel and improvedspray guard for sink spray valve and nozzle assemblies which is of cheapand simple construction and efficient operation and can be constructedwith a minimum of material.

A more specific object is to provide a spray guard which may be morereadily attached to and detached from a spray valve and nozzle assembly.

Another object is to provide a spray guard which is constructed to beattached to the spray valve and nozzle assembly by frictional engagementonly.

Another object is to provide a spray guard having an automaticallydispensing detergent chamber constructed therewithin.

Another object is toprovide a spray guard wherein only the valve elementand nozzle need be furnished to provide a complete valve and nozzleassembly and spray guard.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

.Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a spray valve and nozzle assemblywith a spray guard embodying my invention attached thereto in positionfor operation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. l andtaken approximately along line 3-3 ofFig.1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of-a second embodiment of myinvention with the valve element and nozzle received therewithinfrombelow; and 1 Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of myinvention which is especially adapted for washing the human hair, with aportion of the view broken away to show the interior thereof ate l2,748,41 l Patented June 5, 1956 One embodiment of my invention mayinclude, as shown in Figs. 13, a generally frusto-conically shapedtubular member indicated generally as 6 formed of resilient,water-resistant material such as rubber. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3,this tubular member is open at its upper and lower ends and is adaptedto receive a spray valve and nozzle assembly indicated generally as 7therewithin from above. The valve element is housed within the housingportion 8 and the nozzle 9 is threadedly connected to the lower endthereof. The tubular member 6 has inner walls the upper portions 10 ofwhich are substantially vertical and are complementary in shape to thespray valve and nozzle assembly 7. The upper portions 10 of these innerwalls converge at the lower sections thereof to provide a seat 11complementary in shape to the nozzle 9 and engaging the nozzle when theassembly 7 is received within the tubular member 6. In other words, thenozzle 9 rests upon the converging portions 11 of the upper portion 10of the inner wall and the seat-defining portions 11 surround the openingof the nozzle. The valve and nozzle assembly 8-has a neck portion 7a,which is ordinarily connected to the hose 12 which normally leads fromthe sink to provide water to the valve and nozzle assembly.

Extending outwardly and rearwardly from the generally frusto-conicallyshaped outer walls 13 of the tubular member 6 is a shoulder member 14which is provided with an upwardly facing groove or channel 15therewithin. This channel 15 is complementary in shape to the neckportion 7a of the valve and nozzle assembly 7 and fits it snugly so asto engage the same in tight-fitting frictional engagement. Thus theentire valve assembly 7, including at least a part of the neck portion7a, fits within the upper portion of the tubular member 6 intight-fitting frictional engagement so that the spray guard will remainin position throughout the washing operations without any additionalmeans of securing the same to it.

The inner walls of the tubular member 6 diverge below the seat portions11 and extend first downwardly as at 16 and then upwardly and outwardlyas at 17 and then downwardly as at 18. Adjacent the lower end of thetubular member 6 is an inwardly extending abutment shoulder 19 which hasan annular groove or recess 20 immediately adjacent thereto and slightlybelow the same. Thereafter the inner walls extend downwardly andoutwardly and terminate in a lower peripheral edge 21 which extends insubstantially the same plane throughout itslength. In other words, ifthe tubular member 6 is placed upon a flat surface, the lower peripheraledge will normally engage the fiat surface throughout the length of thecircumference of the tubular'member 6 at its lower end.

Mounted within the recess or groove 28 is an annular plate 22 having acentral opening 23 and an upwardly extending sleeve 24 which defines thecentral opening. The outer diameter of this sleeve 24 is substantiallyequal or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening of theseat-forming portions 11 and is of sufficient length so as to extendupwardly to a position against the nozzle 9 and so as to surround theopening of the nozzle. The plate member 22 and the sleeve 24 extendingupwardly into the seat-defining portions 11, together form an annularchamber 25 which extends around the sleeve element 24 and between thatmember and the lower portions of the inner walls of the tubular member6. This chamber is adapted to contain asupply of liquid detergent whichis injected into the chamber through a filler opening 26 which in turnis normally closed by a tight-fitting stopper 27. Formed in the portionsof the plate member 22 which extend upwardly to the sleeve 24 is a verysmall discharge opening 28 through which the detergent may escape in amanner to be hereinafter described. It should be noted that the plate 22and the 3 sleeve 24 together form a partition member which forms thechamber 25 in conjunction with the inner walls of the tubular member 6.

Mounted on the underside of the plate 22 is an annular channel 29. Asbest shown in Fig. 3, this channel faces downwardly and containstherewithin an annular brush 3% which extends downwardly to a levelslightly below the lower peripheral edge 21 of the tubular member 6.

Fig. shows an embodiment of my invention somewhat similar to theembodiment shown in Figs. l3 with the exception that the channel 29 andthe brush 30 have been omitted therefrom. in all other respects thisspray guard is constructed identically with the spray gnard shown inFigs. 1-3 and accordingly the corresponding parts bear the samenumerical references.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of my invention wherein the tubularmember indicated generally as 3i has an upright portion 32 and agenerally horizontally extending neck portion 33. As shown in Fig. 4,the upright portion 32 and the neck portion 33 are formed integrallywith the neck portion internally threaded as at 34 to engage theexternally threaded end of a watercarrying conduit 35. A rubber washer36 makes the connection fluid-tight. The passage 37 extends horizontallythrough the neck portion 33 and it extends downwardly through theupright portion 32.

At the top of the upright portion 32 there is a recess 38 adapted toaccommodate the valve lever 3? which pivots upon an upstanding rib 49provided for that purpose within the recess 37, this rib 4t) acting as afulcrum for the lever 3?. Extending downwardly from this recess is asmall passage 41 which is of sufficient diameter to accommodate aconnecting rod 42 which is connected at its upper end to the forward endof the lever 39 and the lower end of which extends downwardly through awasher 43 into the main passage of the tubular member 31. The diameterof the passage 37 is increased at this point to accommodate a valveelement 44 which is threaded onto the lower end of the rod 42 and whichmaintains a spring 45 in slightly compressed condition.

Immediately below the widened portion of the passage 37 is a still widerportion 46 which has defining walls which are internally threaded. Thediameter of this portion of the passage is equal to the externallythreaded portions of the valve nozzle 47 which is inserted from below. Awasher 48 provides a seat for the valve element 44 and is held in placeby the threaded engagement between the nozzle 47 and the threads as at46.

The tubular member 31 has a downwardly extending collar 49 within itsinterior which is of a diameter at least equal to the diameter of thehead of the nozzle 47 and extends below the nozzle a substantialdistance as shown in Fig. 4. The inner walls extend upwardly and thendownwardly from this collar 49 to a point adjacent the lower portionthereof where there is an abutment shoulder 59 and an annular groove 51.The lower peripheral edge 52 of the tubular member 31 extends insubstantially the same plane throughout its length similar to theembodiment shown in Figs. 1-3.

Mounted within the groove 41 is an annular plate 53 which has a centralopening defined by portions thereof which extends upwardly as at 54 andterminate in a sleeve 55 which extends within the interior of the collar49 and is engaged by the same. This sleeve 55 is of suflicient length toabut against the nozzle 49. The sleeve 55 and the plate 53 together forma partition which, in conjunction with the inner walls of the tubularmember, forms a detergent-containing chamber 56 adapted to retaindetergent therewithin and to be filled through a filler opening 57 whichis normally closed by a removable stopper 5%. The plate 53 has a verysmall discharge opening 53:: through which the detergent is discharged.

Mounted on the underside of the plate 53 is an inverted channel 59 andan annular brush 60 mounted therewithin,

4 the lower end portions of which extend to a level slightly below thelower peripheral edge of the tubular member 31.

In use, the tubular member 6 may be readily attached to or detached fromthe spray valve and nozzle assembly 7 by merely inserting the assemblyinto the upper open end of the tubular member to a position shown inFig. 1. The assembly is inserted until the nozzle 9 abuts against theseat defining portions 11 of the tubular memher and the neck portion 7arests against the channel defining portions of the abutment shoulder 14.In view of the tight-fitting relationship and the conformation of theinner walls of the tubular member 6 and the channel 35 to the shape ofthe spray valve and nozzle assembly, the assembly is held securely tothe tubular member 6 by frictional engagement. When it is desired, it isa relatively easy matter to detach the tubular member 6 from theassembly by merely pulling directly upwardly on the assembly.

The function of the shoulder member id is to provide support for theneck portion 7a and positively prevent accidental disengagement of thevalve and nozzle assembly from the tubular member 6. It performs thisfunction due to the fact that it extends outwardly beyond the outerwalls 13 of the tubular member so that any downward pressure upon theneck portion 711 will cause the nozzle to swing outwardly in an arc muchwider than would otherwise be the case since the assembly must pivotupon the rearmost supporting edge of the shoulder member 14. In additionto precluding the accidental disconnection of the tubular member 6 fromthe assembly 7, the presence of the channel 1.5 also facilitates theinsertion of the assembly into the tubular member.

In use, the assembled unit is pressed against the surface to be cleansedso that the lower peripheral edge thereof engages the surface. When thewater is permitted to flow through the assembly a back pressure is builtup within the lower portions of the tubular member 6 and this pressureis transmitted to the interior of the chamber 25 through the dischargeopening 28. When the lower peripheral edge of the tubular member 6 ispermitted to disengage the surface being cleansed, this pressure is ofcourse reduced and as a result there is a small outward fiow ofdetergent through the discharge opening 28 which readily mixes with thewater with which the cleansing operation is being accomplished. Thebrush 30 is utilized to dislodge the more stubborn and securely attachedparticles from the surface to be cleansed. It can be readily seen thatthe amount of detergent can be adjusted at will by merely regulating theextent of pressure applied to the tubular member 6 and assembly 7. Ifconsiderable detergent is desired a back pressure may be built uprepeatedly within the interior of the tubular member 6 with repeatedreleases of the pressure so as to cause additional detergent to flowoutwardly and mix with the water.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of my invention especially well-adapted forthe washing of the human hair. The only distinction between thisembodiment and the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3 is that the brush 30and the channel 29 are not secured to the plate 22. The partion memberor plate member and the discharge opening therein function in the samemanner as described hereinabove.

The structure shown in Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of my invention whichwill eliminate the need for a separate complete valve and nozzleassembly as shown in Fig. 1. This particular embodiment shows the neckportion being incorporated integrally with the rest of the tubularmember and the tubular member constructed so as to permit the rod 42,the spring 45, the valve element 44, the washer 48 and the nozzle 47 toall be inserted from below before the plate member 40 is snapped intoplace in the recess 51. The operation and function of this particularembodiment is the same as described hereinabove for the structure shownin Figs. 1-3.

Thus it can be seen that I have provided a novel and improved sprayguard for use with a spray valve and nozzle assembly which can be morereadily attached and detached relative to the assembly desired.

Since there is no requirement of a separate engaging element which, whenconstructed of material such as rubber, frequently wears out long beforethe remaining portions of the device are worn, the useful life of thespray guard is extended substantially. In addition there is asubstantial saving in the time required for attaching or detaching theguard. Considerable inconvenience is avoided by using this simple meansof attachment and detachment to the assembly.

It should be noted that the amount of detergent injected into the streamof water which is used for washing the surface to be cleansed, may beregulated by the user at will with a minimum of inconvenience. The userhas a constantly supplied detergent always available and there is noquestion involved in its use. The entire device is simple in bothconstruction and operation and can be manufactured with a minimum ofmaterial and at a minimum of cost.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of surfaces comprising a tubular member formedof a resilient, waterresistant material, said member having a lowerperipheral edge extending in substantially the same plane throughout andhaving inner walls the upper portions of which are adapted to receivetherein in positive fluid tight non-threaded engaging relation such aspray valve and nozzle assembly, the lower portions of the inner wallsof said member being of substantially greater internal diameter thansaid upper portions and greater than the diameter of the spray nozzle, aplate member secured to the lower portions of said inner walls andextending therebetween below the spray nozzle and entirely above saidlower peripheral edge and having a centrally disposed openingtherethrough, and a sleeve member mounted on said plate member anddefining said opening and extending upwardly therefrom to a positionadjacent the spray nozzle and in engagement with said upper portions ofsaid inner walls to form in conjunction with said plate member and thelower portions of said inner walls a chamber adapted to contain adetergent, said plate member having a small discharge opening thereinthrough which the detergent may pass as a result of variations ofpressure within the chamber.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and an annularly arranged brushmounted on the underside of said plate member in surrounding relation toits opening and depending therefrom to a level only slightly below thelower peripheral edge of said tubular member to permit said lowerperipheral edge to be brought into flush engagement with a flat surfaceto be cleaned and to thereby create a back pressure within said chamber.

3. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of surfaces comprising a tubular member formedof a resilient, water-resistant material, said member having inner wallsthe upper portions of which are complementary in shape to the externalsurface of the spray valve and nozzle assembly and are adapted toreceive the same therewithin from above in positive tight-fittingnon-threaded frictionally-engaging relation, the lower portions of saidinner walls diverging downwardly from the spray nozzle and terminatingat the lower peripheral edge of said member in substantially the sameplane throughout, and an open channeled shoulder member formed ofresilient material carried exteriorly by said member adjacent its upperend and extending laterally therefrom, said shoulder member having itschannel open at the top and facing upwardly and being shaped to conformto the shape of z the neck portion of said assembly to support andpositively engage the same to thereby resist positively the separationof said tubular member from the spray valve and nozzle assembly.

4. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of surfaces comprising a tubular member formedof a resilient, waterresistant material, said member having inner wallsthe upper portions of which are complementary in shape to the externalsurface of the spray valve and nozzle assembly and are adapted toreceive the latter therewithin from above in positive, tight-fitting,frictionally-engaging non-threaded relation, the lower portions of saidinner walls being below the lower end of the spray nozzle and being ofsubstantially greater internal diameter than said upper portions, saidtubular member having tapered outer walls, and a channeled shouldermember mounted upon said outer walls adjacent the upper end of saidtubular member and extending laterally therefrom and having its channelopen at the top and facing upwardly and adapted to receive therein fromabove in tight-fitting frictional non-threaded engagement the neckportion of such an assembly to support the same and positively resistthe separation of said tubular member from the spray valve and nozzleassembly.

5. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of surfaces comprising a tubular member formedof a resilient, water-resistant material, said member having a lowerperipheral edge extending in substantially the same plane throughout andhaving inner walls the upper portions of which are adapted to receivetherein in positive engaging relation such a spray valve and nozzleassembly, the lower portions of the inner walls of said member being ofsubstantially greater internal diameter than said upper portions andgreater in diameter than the diameter of the spray nozzle, and apartition member secured to the lower portions of said inner walls andextending therebetween entirely above the lower peripheral edge of saidmember and below the spray nozzle andl having a central opening formedtherethrough, the portions of said partition member defining its centralopening extending upwardly to a position adjacent the spray nozzle andin engagement with the upper portions of said inner walls to form inconjunction with the remainder of said partition member and the lowerportions of said inner walls a chamber adapted to contain a detergent,said remaining portion of said partition member having a very smalldischarge opening formed therein through which the detergent may pass asa result of variations in pressure within the chamber formed byalternately pressing the lower peripheral edge of said tubular memberagainst a fiat surface while the spray valve is open and then releasingthe same.

6. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of generally flat surfaces comprising a tubularmember formed of a resilient, water-resistant material and having anupright portion and a horizontally extending neck portion, said portionsbeing made integral with each other and having a passage extendingtherethrough, said member having a lower peripheral edge extending insubstantially the same plane throughout and having inner walls withinthe upright portion the upper parts of which are adapted to receivetherein in positive fluid-tight non-threaded engaging relation such aspray valve and nozzle assembly, the lower parts of the inner walls ofsaid upright portion of said member being of substantially greaterinternal diameter than the upper parts and greater than the diameter ofthe spray nozzle, a plate member secured to the lower parts of saidinner walls and extending therebetween entirely below the lower end ofthe spray nozzle and entirely above said lower peripheral edge andhaving a centrally disposed opening therethrough, and a sleeve membermounted on said plate member and defining said opening and extendingupwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the spray nozzle and inengagement with the upper part of'said inner Walls to form inconjunction with said plate member and the lower parts of the innerwalls a chamber adapted to contain a detergent, said plate member havinga small discharge opening therein through which the detergent may passas a result of variations of pressure within the chamber.

7. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of generally flat surfaces comprising a tubularmember formed of an elastic and resilient water-resistant material, saidmember having inner walls the upper portions of which are complementaryin shape to the external surface of the spray valve and nozzle assemblyand are adapted to receive the same therewithin from above in positivetightfitting, frictionally-engaging non-threaded relation, the lowersections of the upper portions of said inner walls converging inwardlyto form a seat for the lower end surface of the nozzle and to engage thesame when the valve and nozzle assembly is received within said tubularmember, the lower portions of said inner walls diverging downwardly froma point adjacent the spray nozzle and terminating at the lowerperipheral edge of said member in substantially the same planethroughout, and a channeled shoulder member formed of resilient materialcarried exteriorly by said member adjacent its upper end and extendinglaterally outwardly therefrom, said shoulder member having its channelopen at its top and facing upwardly and being shaped to conform to theshape of the neck portion of said assembly to support and positivelyfrictionally engage the same to thereby resist positively the separationof said tubular member from the spray valve and nozzle assembly.

8. A spray guard for use in conjunction with a spray valve and nozzleassembly in the cleaning of generally flat surfaces comprising, atubular member formed of a resilient water-resistant material, saidmember having a lower peripheral edge extending in substantially thesame plane throughout and having inner walls the upper portions of whichare adapted to receive therein in positive fluid-tight non-threadedengaging relation such a spray valve and nozzle assembly, the lowersections of the upper portions of said inner walls converging to form aseat for the lower end of the nozzle of such an assembly and to engagethe same When the latter is received within said tubular member, thelower portions of the inner walls of said tubular member being ofsubstantially greater internal diameter than said upper portions andgreater than the diameter of the spray nozzle, a plate member secured tothe lower portions of said inner walls and extending therebetweenentirely below the lower end of the spray nozzle and in verticallyspaced relation thereto and entirely above said lower peripheral edgeand in vertically spaced relation thereto and having a centrallydisposed opening therethrough, and a sleeve member mounted on said platemember and defining said opening and extending upwardly therefrom to aposition within the seat-defining portions of said inner walls andengaging the same to form in conjunction with said plate member and thelower portions of said inner walls a chamber adapted to contain adetergent, said plate member having a small discharge opening thereinthrough which the detergent may pass as a result of variations ofpressure within thechamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS605,929 Smead June 21, 1898 2,075,964 Teigeler Apr. 6, 1937 2,502,937Franklin Apr. 4, 1950 2,504,506 Du-For Apr. 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS883,863 France :'Apr. 5, 1943

